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2016-09-30

Dana, from Sew Thrifty has been an inspiration ever since I found her blog. Just like me, she loves to make use of what she had already and find a creative way to make things live longer in new forms. She just had a precious little girl, and she has put a few bloggers together, sharing thrifty ideas baby related to celebrate the arrivals of her youngest! Congratulations to her and her family!

I've got two kids and I think we're pretty much done with having kids. You'll never know what the future holds, and sometimes life comes up with a few unexpected surprises. We're not planning on having anymore though, so as cute and lovely as they are, chances are I'll be sewing baby items only to gift the ones around me. And with that in mind, I have put together a little wrap up of the baby related tutorials I have shared so far. Not only they are baby related, they will also cost you nothing to make... Let's see...

I think I pretty much gifted one of these to my friends when they had their babies. And you can totally save a bit by making them using flannel and cotton sheets as your fabric choice. I've put up a tutorial for this a while ago, and you can check it out here, in order to make your own. Later I also make baby doll slings for the newborn's big sisters, as shown here and here.

This one has been one of my personal favorites ever since I made it. It has been my readers favorite as well by the way. I made two of these when I was pregnant with my boy, and I drafted a pattern that I later shared on the blog. It's a hand drafted pattern, no fancy stuff, one size only, but works pretty well if you don't mind it. Find pattern and tutorial here and let me know if you get any done. I made mine, both of them, using t-shirts and more t-shirts scraps, some were mine and some were my husbands. The one of the photo above, was actually the very first thing he wore when he met this world. The nurse that cleaned him and all, noticed it was handmade and told me how special it was. I was so proud!!

Again, I made this one for my boy and he loved it. I made it about the time he was already able to start holding his toys and it was easy to hold this one and later bring it into his mouth. I made this one using a very small stuffed dog, a scrap from an onesie that wasn't fitting him anymore and that was it. Pretty quick and easy, and you can make one too. See how to, by clicking here.

I liked this idea from the start (I wouldn't be here if I didn't anyway). Truth is it is really fun sewing for my kids, but mine at least, still have quite a lot more clothes than those they manage to wear, and I have been more into sewing for myself lately, in my little free time. And after putting up with the kids all summer, feels kinda good to send them back to school this beautiful September. The little one has just started day care - for the first time ever - and the older one starts later this week, so I am going to celebrate with a new dress.

Again, I was given the choice for a free pattern, and since I've been wanting to make myself a maxi dress for years, my interest was focused on the Women’s California Dresses & Peplum Top pattern, and I wasn't disappointed over my choice at all. Besides, I was able to cross off from my "want to do list" one thing that has been there for far too long.

E o que posso dizer? Estou apaixonada pelo meu vestido novo e vejo muitas saídas do mesmo à rua, porque me senti super bem e confortável quando o vesti. Ele vem em 10 tamanhos diferentes (do XS ao 5X), e com várias alturas disponíveis, desde o top peplum até ao vestido mais comprido, que é o que eu fiz.And what can I say about it? I am in love with my new dress, and foresee it going out often, since I felt so good and comfortable when I wore it. It comes in 10 different (from XS to 5X), and with several different lenghts, from peplum top to the maxi dress option, which is the one I made.

Since I am rather short, I had to shorten mine's lenght, and I must have taken about 2 inches off, I can't precisely tell because I am pretty good at eyeballing measurements and that's what I did here too, I took off what I thought to be enought for me and I was quite lucky that it worked just like I hoped for. If you don't really know how to shorten or enlarge your pattern, you can find instructions for it on your pattern.

I bought the fabric here and I since I love stripes, I was saving it for a special project, I don't like to use my fave fabrics on items that I might not use that often later. I think I did a good bet using it for this one, I don't have much left, just a little I might use for a detail on the kids clothes or even mine.

The pattern is made of 5 pieces only, and 2 of them are the armholes and front neckband bindings, while the last piece is the back band. You can also use the back piece as the front, so you get a sort of boat neckline dress instead of this one I did, more of a faux halter top. And, there's also a nursing option so there's no excuse!!

Don't miss any of the posts on EYMM's Back to School Tour: Mom's Edition! (Note: the links below will not work until their scheduled day, but feel free to click through and check out the rest of their blogs anytime!)

The kids are back in school and parents and caregivers everywhere are excited to catch up after summer break! Use coupon code PARENTSROCK to save 50% off any adult-size patterns for men and women now through 11:59pm PST Tuesday 9/13/2016. This offer may NOT be combined with other offers including bundles.

Long time no seen, right? Between summer's end eclectic life and being back to work, even though part-time, has left a little space for sewing around here. Despite all that, there's nothing like an appealing pattern test call to get me back on track (oh, and I also made this shirt we shared a few days ago over at Cose+).

The test I am talking about was for Kennis, from Itch to Stitch, and the pattern is the Bonn Shirt and Dress. It will be 20% off for the release (today) and also, 15% off the cart if purchasing any 2 or more patterns.And what do I have t say about it? Well, to start it is super versatile, since you can sew it for any season of the year, thanks to its four different sleeve lenght options, and the dress or shirt option. As you can see, I did the short sleeves and I think they are cut just the right lenght.

I especially liked the shape of this shirt, and how it fits the different body types (check out all the testers versions that will be poping up today), and that's from someone who's not so much into button up shirts. I really liked this one though, as soon as I saw the technical drawing on the test call, I knew I wouldn't want to be out. It was worth it. I only think I just have picked a bigger size, since my measurements were right between the smaller sizes (00 and 0). The shirt fits me right, but it is too tight comparing to its intentional more casual and relaxed fit. That's why I really want to make another one as soon as I get the time to sew it.

If you don't know Itch to Stitch patterns yet, let me tell you that Kennis is an excellent professional, and they are high quality patterns. Besides her patterns, please check her blog for the most useful tutorials. Back to the pattern, it comes in sizes 00 - 20, with A, B, C. D and DD cups, with instructions on how to add or take lenght for the taller or the shorter ones. In my case, I will have to take some inches off next time, which I haven't this time.

** OH! Almost forgot to mention, but this wonderful, beautiful and light fabric I loved as soon as I put my eyes on, and even more after easily working it, was a gift from Sara, from MAde by Sara. I am such a lucky one, ain't I? I've been giving the most gorgeous fabrics and it is such an enormous pleasure to work them up and show the final items here on the blog.